Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries are provided that include a columnar silicon anode including a carbon fiber network on exposed surfaces of the columnar silicon anode. The columnar silicon is formed by plasma vapor deposition. Also disclosed are processes for forming the carbon fiber network, which generally includes spraying a dilute carbon fiber precursor solution including carbon nanotubes, an optional polymeric dispersing agent and a solvent, which is then subjected to facile evaporation at an elevated temperature to remove the solvent and form the carbon fiber network. The carbon fiber network is uniformly and multi-directionally provided on the exposed surfaces of the columnar silicon anode. The presence of the carbon fiber network provides high electronic pathways to enhance battery power capability especially at the higher current rates.

Abstract: A bipolar solid-state battery cell includes a plurality of battery cells, wherein each cell includes a separator, an anode disposed on a first side of the separator and a cathode disposed on a second side of the separator; where the second side is opposedly disposed to the first side. The anode is in electrical communication with an anode current collector and the cathode is in electrical communication with a cathode current collector. A capacitor wall is disposed parallel to at least one external surface of the anode or cathode, where the capacitor wall includes a capacitor active material.

Abstract: A solid state battery cell includes an anode, a cathode, and a solid state electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode is a lithium metal composite anode that comprises a lithium metal layer and a metal sulfide. A method of manufacturing a battery cell includes disposing a lithium metal composite anode on an anode current collector, where the lithium metal composite anode comprises a lithium metal layer and a metal sulfide. A solid state electrolyte is then disposed on the lithium metal composite anode. A cathode active layer is disposed on the solid state electrolyte and a cathode current collector is disposed on the cathode active layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode-forming slurry includes mixing together an active material, an electrically conducting material and optionally a solid state electrolyte with a low-polar solvent. The low-polar solvent has a dipole moment of less than 4 and a boiling point greater than 100° C. to form a first slurry, where the active material is an anode active material or a cathode active material. A polymeric binder and an ether-based solvent are mixed to form second slurry. The first slurry and the second slurry are mixed to form the electrode-forming slurry.

Abstract: An electrolyte for use in an electrochemical cell. The electrolyte includes a first layer having a thickness of about 1 ?m to about 40 ?m and a second layer having a thickness of about 5 ?m to about 60 ?m. The first layer includes, based on a total weight of the first layer, about 10 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of first solid-state electrolyte particles, about 1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % of lithium, and about 1 wt. % to about 65 wt. % of fibrils including carbon and fluorine, The second layer includes second solid-state electrolyte particles.

Abstract: A polymeric gel electrolyte for an electrochemical cell, such as a solid-state battery, is provided herein as well an electrochemical cell including the polymeric gel electrolyte. The polymeric gel electrolyte includes a lithium salt comprising sulfur and fluorine, a lithium salt comprising boron, a fluorinated plasticizer, a non-fluorinated plasticizer, and a polymeric host. A w/w ratio of the fluorinated plasticizer to the non-fluorinated plasticizer is 9:1 to 1:9.

Abstract: A solid-state battery cell includes an anode electrode comprising an anode current collector, anode active material, a solid electrolyte, and a gel polymer electrolyte. A cathode electrode comprises a cathode current collector, a cathode active material, a solid electrolyte, and the gel polymer electrolyte. A separator layer comprises the gel polymer electrolyte and a solid electrolyte composite including a solid electrolyte coating arranged on an outer surface of an oxide core.

Abstract: A solid-state battery cell includes a cathode electrode includes a cathode current collector and a cathode active layer arranged on the cathode current collector and including cathode active material and a solid electrolyte. A separator layer comprises the solid electrolyte. An anode layer comprises an anode current collector and a silicon layer arranged on the anode current collector and including a plurality of concave spherical surfaces.

Abstract: An oxide-based solid-state battery cell includes a cathode electrode comprising a cathode current collector. A cathode active layer is arranged adjacent to the cathode current collector and comprising cathode active material that exchanges lithium ions and a solid oxide electrolyte and an in-situ polymerization gel. A separator layer comprises a solid oxide electrolyte, a porous layer, and the in-situ polymerization gel. An anode electrode comprises an anode current collector, a silicon film, and the in-situ polymerization gel.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium-ion battery cell includes a first region having a first thickness and including an active material comprising a first wt % of the first region and a solid electrolyte comprising a second wt % of the first region. A second region has a second thickness and includes the active material comprising a third wt % of the second region and the solid electrolyte comprising a fourth wt % of the second region. The first region and the second region are arranged adjacent to one another. The first wt % is greater than the third wt % and the second wt % is less than the fourth wt %.

Abstract: A method for preparing an electrolyte layer supported by a dry process electrode layer, the method includes providing a sulfide electrolyte layer; providing a first dry process electrode layer; arranging a first side of the sulfide electrolyte layer adjacent to a first side of the first dry process electrode layer; and calendaring the sulfide electrolyte layer and the first dry process electrode layer to reduce a thickness of the sulfide electrolyte layer to a predetermined thickness in a range from approximately 5 micrometers (?m) to approximately 50 ?m.

Abstract: A solid-state battery cell includes an anode electrode comprising an anode current collector and an anode coating. A cathode electrode comprises a cathode current collector and a cathode coating, wherein the anode electrode and the cathode electrode exchange lithium ions. A separator layer is arranged between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A first capacitor electrode is arranged at least one of between the anode coating and a first side of the separator layer, between the anode coating and the anode current collector, between a second side of the separator layer and the cathode coating, and between the cathode coating and the cathode current collector.

Abstract: A state of charge (SOC) balancing system includes: first and second batteries; first and second capacitors; an SOC module configured to determine first and second SOCs of the first and second batteries, respectively; and a switching module configured to selectively, when the first SOC is greater than the second SOC: (i) electrically connect the first and second capacitors in parallel; (ii) electrically connect the first battery to the first and second capacitors while the first and second capacitors are electrically connected in parallel; (iii) electrically disconnect the first battery from the first and second capacitors; (iv) electrically connect the first and second capacitors in series; (v) electrically connect the second battery to the first and second capacitors while the first and second capacitors are electrically connected in series; and (vi) electrically disconnect the second battery from the first and second capacitors.

Abstract: A battery cell including an anode electrode layer including an anode active material. A cathode electrode layer comprises cathode active material. A solid electrolyte layer is arranged between the anode electrode layer and the cathode electrode layer. An elastomeric layer is arranged between the anode electrode layer and the solid electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A functionalized separator for a battery cell includes a separator layer including a first side and a second side. A functionalized layer is arranged on at least one of the first side and the second side of the separator layer. The functionalized layer comprises a lithium-ion conducting solid electrolyte and a capacitor active material.

Abstract: An anode-free electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes a positive electrode assembly having a positive current collector and a positive electroactive material layer, a negative current collector that includes a surface configured to receive a negative electroactive material after one or more formation cycles of the anode-free electrochemical cell, and a separating layer disposed between the positive electroactive material layer and the surface of the negative current collector. The separating layer includes an electrolyte that includes greater than or equal to about 20 wt. % to less than or equal to about 99.5 wt. % of a concentrated electrolyte having a lithium salt concentration greater than or equal to about 2 M to less than or equal to about 6 M, and greater than or equal to about 0.5 wt. % to less than or equal to about 80 wt. % of an ionic liquid.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions includes a positive electrode that includes a positive electroactive material, a negative electrode that includes a negative electroactive material, and a free-standing separating layer disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The free-standing separating layer includes a gel membrane that includes a polymer host and a liquid electrolyte and an integrated structural component disposed within the gel membrane. The integrated structural component may be selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of solid-state electrolyte particles, a nonwoven material, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode electrode comprising a cathode coating arranged on a cathode current collector and a separator. A dual function interlayer comprising capacitor material and lithium-ion source material is arranged one of between the cathode coating and the cathode current collector and between the cathode coating and the separator. An anode electrode is arranged adjacent to the separator and comprising an anode coating arranged on an anode current collector.

Abstract: A modular bipolar solid-state battery includes T solid-state battery modules, where T is an integer greater than one. Each of the T solid-state battery modules includes an enclosure, a first terminal arranged on a first side of the enclosure, a second terminal arranged on a second side of the enclosure opposite to the first side of the enclosure, and N solid-state battery cells arranged and interconnected in the enclosure, where N is an integer greater than one. The T solid-state battery modules are connected in at least one of series and parallel. A positive terminal of the modular bipolar solid-state battery is connected to at least one of the T solid-state battery modules. A negative terminal of the modular bipolar solid-state battery is connected to at least another one of the T solid-state battery modules.

Abstract: A method for testing a sample of a battery cell includes arranging the sample of the battery cell in a sample pan of a test crucible; arranging a spacer on the sample of the battery cell; sealing the sample pan; and performing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) testing of the sample.